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Cathy

personnel & training administrator (daytime) and IT Trainer (evening)

In general terms, what does your job entail?

• Preparing pre-course student assessments for suitability to a particular course
• Preparing Training Needs Analysis for the hotel to assess the training needs of staff.
• Arranging training courses - sourcing suitable trainers (if necessary).
• Conducting IT courses (both in the hotel and at night time) - generally Word, Excel and Access
• PowerPoint, E-mail and in-house packages.
• Marking In-house exams/projects.
• Preparing post-course assessments for students to ascertain whether or not the training had an impact on the ability of the student to complete his/her job, both on a short-term and long-term basis.
• Assess whether or not certain training courses have had an impact on the department as a whole.
• Preparing training materials for night IT courses.
• Keeping training records up to date.·
• Carrying out all administration connected to the personnel and training department.

Do you feel that you are using your talents in your job?

Yes, because I am not only an IT trainer, but I use the packages that I teach on a daily basis during my work in the Personnel & Training Department. This allows me to further my knowledge of IT packages and therefore enable me to pass this knowledge on to my students.

After leaving school what were the major milestones in your career development?

I went to college in Carlow RTC and studied Software Engineering. I didn't enjoy the course as it was mainly theory. While studying this course, I discovered computer applications - I literally became addicted! I began to teach myself Work Processing and took it from there.

After college I did a 1-year, full-time business studies and administration course which was run by the NCVA (National Council for Vocational Awards). The course included a lot of general computer work, word processing, spreadsheets and database and this is where I first had the opportunity to teach IT. We had a great IT trainer who used to allow me to conduct some of her classes - she encouraged me to become an IT trainer and was always of great assistance to me, even after I finished the course.

In 2000, I completed the JEB Teacher's Diploma in IT with Ashfield Computer Training, Templeogue. During the course I was required to prepare a 30-hour scheme of work detailing the teaching methods, teaching resources, course details and the aims and objectives of the course. I was also required to prepare, in minute detail, two of the 1-hour lessons incorporated in the 30-hour scheme of work, one of which I was required to teach. I was also required to prepare three exercises during the course; the first in Word Processing, the second in Spreadsheets and the third in Database-for each of these assignments, I received full marks.

What do you like about your work?

The best thing about teaching IT is that most of the people I teach are complete beginners and I get a 'buzz' out of comparing what they were like at the start of the course (most of them not having been able to even switch on a computer) to what they are like at the end - it's hugely satisfying knowing that you've given someone a new skill and that they can use this to improve their everyday life.

I also love the variety! I love the fact that I can practice what I preach - in other words, I use computer applications in my day job and in the evenings I get the opportunity to pass on my knowledge to my students. Also, knowing that I am responsible for giving people a new skill.

Is there any aspect of your work that you not like?

Seeing someone struggling with computers and not being able to do anything about it-some people are just not technically minded. Also, having to tell someone that they've failed an exam-thankfully, I've only had to do it once!

Do you have any specific advice for someone wanting to enter IT?

Start at the beginning! Do a beginners course And this will give you a taste of what's to come. Also, it will give you the opportunity of assessing the teaching skills of the trainer! Talk to other people who are involved in the IT industry and get recommendations for training courses. Also, try to get some practical experience.

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